We Own Adventure

Scouting News for the DC Metro Area

Family Scouting

Scouting with Dad – Ray Posluszny!

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Happy Father’s Day to A.J. Posluszny! We have been Scouting together for over 20 years now and have had many great adventures! Here’s to many more!

I started Scouting 21 years ago as Tiger in Michigan. My mother quickly became involved as a Den Leader and shortly after as the Cubmaster. My dad was much more in the background because of his work at the time. It wasn’t until I was beginning my Webelos 2 year and we had moved to Pennsylvania that he became much more involved. As I crossed over into my first Troop, he was right there with me, on just about every campout with our Troop. He taught me many of the Scout skills that I still know and pass on to others now. He was with me on every step of my Scouting Trail, from Scout to Eagle in 2009.

He was there supporting me in my role with the Lodge as a Chairman of a committee, to serving as the Lowwapaneu Lodge Secretary, to serving as a Section Vice Chief. I received the Vigil honor in 2010, then had the honor of serving as his guide and in his Vigil Ceremony the following year in 2011.

We planned District Events together, we helped build a Native American Program for our Council in Pennsylvania, and we went to Philmont together.

For all of this, you received my Mentor Pin at my Eagle Court of Honor, as well as the Eagle Dad Pin.

We have continued Scouting’s Journey together, even now we support each other in two different Districts in NCAC.

Thank you, Dad, for all you have done for me. I look forward to continuing Scouting’s Journey together going forward as you can now help my son and your Grandson through this amazing program!

Scouting with Dad – Jonathan Cartner!

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Happy Father’s Day to David Cartner!  Scouting has always been important to the Cartners and one of the main activities that we consistently did together for almost 30 years now.

When my father retired from the Army we settled back in his home state of Missouri from Belize where I was quickly able to get involved in normal 8 year old stuff like little league and Scouting.  Dad was always a visible presence with me when I started in Cub Scouts from Den/Pack meetings and helping me with my pinewood derby cars.  This led to me crossing over into Troop 41 in Sikeston, MO where I became an Eagle Scout in 1997 most due to his consistence pushing to finish merit badges, serve in leadership roles, and attending camping events.  Receiving my Eagle Scout rank at a young age allowed me to really get involved with the Order of Arrow where my father followed right behind me.  Dad was able to watch me be elected by my peers to Lodge Chief of Anpetu-We Lodge #100 where I received my Vigil Honor.  The very next year my father was also called out to receive the Vigil.  This was one of my most proudest moment with him as I was able to give back to him as his guide for all that he had done for during my time with the Lodge.  In 2003 I was elected Section Chief with the Order of the Arrow which kickstarted my time on NOAC staffs.  In typical David Cartner status he was able to join me a couple NOACs later and the two of us have served on 5 NOAC staffs together over the years.

 

All this support and dedication from my father absolutely lead me to a career with the Boy Scouts of America.  This career has brought me through 4 councils across three states helping support programs that give any kid willing and wanting the same experiences that I have had.

 

Thank you David Cartner for all you have done for me over the last 36 years! Love you.

 

Get Ready to Camp!!!

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Calling all Scouts and their families! Get your tents, sleeping bags and cook gear ready and make your grocery list for Homecamping. You can participate in an on-line Webelos or Scouts BSA advancement program and Merit Badge classes during the week AND camp at either Goshen Scout Reservation or Camp Snyder on the weekend with your family.

As an added bonus, for those camping at Camp Snyder there will be a fun program to choose from, including flying drones and driving robotic cars, STEM kits, Wood Shop projects, Geocaching and Scouterhorn climbing. Plus, at both camps there is the great outdoors with hiking, nature trails, fishing, family campfires and more self-guided activities.

There will be COVID-19 virus precautions in place to protect the campers and staff during activities. Registration is open, so sign-up NOW for Goshen Scout Reservation and for Camp Snyder. We hope to see you at camp!

Troop 492, An Amazing Blessing During a Difficult Year

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A year ago today, Michael and I went to visit a Troop 492 Scout meeting. He wanted to join the Cub Scouts for years, but scheduling never worked out. But we decided that because he was going to be going to a magnet middle school, we’d let him join the BSA in the fall. His best friend’s dad was the Scoutmaster, so it was a way to keep him in touch with some of his friends.

Well, the terrific and very persuasive Scoutmaster convinced us that it made more sense to join right away. The Troop was brand new, so he’d be able to be involved in planning for the upcoming year, and could even go to Scout camp in July. We signed up that night. Little did we know what an incredible blessing that decision would turn out to be.

There was no way we could afford a week at Goshen at the time; we hadn’t budgeted for it, so the Troop worked with our sponsoring Rotary Club to pay Michael’s way. Michael’s best friend assured him that it was the BEST place in the world, and he’d love it.

A week and a half before camp, my dad passed away totally unexpectedly, shattering our world. Michael was with us that morning as my sister (recovering from surgery at our house) and I raced to our parents’ house after getting my mom’s call. Losing his beloved grandfather was devastating. We contemplated cancelling camp for him, but in the end decided to let him go, after getting assurances from his Scoutmaster that he’d be allowed to call us if needed. It was the best thing possible for him at the time. He had a phenomenal week and a break from the chaos at home.

And as our whole lives turned upside down this year – first with our move to live with and take care of my mom, through starting at a brand new middle school not knowing anyone, and then through this pandemic, his Scout Troop has been his lifeline.

Michael has thrived in Scouting, becoming the first in his Troop to promote to Tenderfoot, and then among the first three to promote to Second Class and then First Class. He sold a crazy amount of popcorn, and earned a free week at Goshen for this year. (Still hoping that will happen…) He’s earned a ton of merit badges – including several over Zoom from Councils all over the country! – and was just elected to be the new Patrol Leader. He was pretty nervous about taking on a leadership role, but his first (Zoom) meeting with the Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader this week convinced him that it’s pretty cool to be in ‘the room where it happens’!

I had no idea what we were signing up for a year ago. Now I’m the Assistant Scoutmaster, and a Merit Badge Counselor for several merit badges. I adore all the phenomenal kids in our Troop, and am excited to watch them progress, and to welcome in our new Scouts who will be bridging over from the Cub Pack in the next few weeks. The thing I’m actually missing most during this pandemic lockdown is getting to go camping with all those goofballs! But I’m so proud of all that we’re managing to accomplish despite the lockdown; we haven’t missed a beat.

We’ve had Troop meetings on Zoom every week, videoconferences for merit badge counseling, and even a virtual campout!

It’s been an amazing first year of scouting. I can’t wait to see what future years hold!

STEM@Home Speaker Series: Join the Conversation!

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Every Thursday at 7PM, you can join our virtual STEM@Home Speaker Series!

We will host conversations with STEM professionals, activities and virtual games (including one with virtual reality!). The first two presenters’ bios are below and we hope you join the conversations!

Read more about the upcoming speakers, see how these conversations tie into your awards, leap into STEM career exploration, and secure your spot here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-STEMSpeakers.

April 30: Science Night: A Conversation with Dr. Stanley Fricke

Dr. Fricke loves to take things apart and put them back together. He also loves measuring stuff: lengths, speed, time, volumes. You name it he will measure it. He is also likes optics and photography. His passion for these things is currently being used to create new x-ray and MRI machines.

May 7: Technology Night: A Conversation with Dave DuHadway

Dave is a pilot for United Airlines, is a former Scoutmaster of Troop 1345 in Burke, Virginia and currently NCAC’s Vice President for Leadership and Governance. “I loved math and science when I was in school but I also enjoyed sports, hiking, camping, and working with my hands (like playing the guitar). I learned to fly after joining the Air Force in college, and they are always on the lookout for people with an interest in STEM. Learning to fly was a lot of studying the technical aspects of flight, combined with a lot of “hands on” work in the airplane, learning to takeoff and land, and learning how airplanes handle in the air. I’ve been flying since 1989, and I’m trained in eight different airplanes, including Remotely Piloted aircraft, like the Predator drones that the Air Force used to fly (they now have bigger and better versions).”

Image Credit for Dr. Stanley Fricke: Children’s National Hospital
Image Credit for Dave DuHadaway: NCAC

Eagle BOR Extension for Inaugural Class of Female Eagle Scouts

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Eagle Scout Rank Badge
These are historic times for our Movement. The coronavirus pandemic is having a direct impact in many Scouts’ ability to continue on their trail to Eagle – especially having completed all their requirements prior to the boards of review that are to be held from 10/1-31/2020.

Because we want all girls who joined in 2019 and wish to be a part of the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts to have the benefit of such an experience, and after carefully considering recommendations from stakeholders, including feedback from volunteers and professionals, we will be extending the period for boards of review from 10/1/2020-1/31/2021. To further support the Inaugural Class, all boards of review will be dated with the same date by the National Service Center.

While this notice discusses the Inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts, the lengthening of the Eagle board of review window is applicable to all Scouts who were granted the Inaugural extension, regardless of gender.

As a reminder, all requirements must be completed while the individual is a registered member of Scouts BSA, or as a member of a Venturing crew or a Sea Scouts ship after achieving First Class in Scouts BSA, per the Guide to Advancement.